Destinations

SOUTH AMERICAN HOLIDAYS - BEST DESTINATIONS

South America is a vast continent with 14 countries, totaling 17,840,000 square kilometers of land. There is no other continent with such huge bio diversity of eco systems, landforms, cultures, flora, fauna, traditions, foods music and places to experience the greatest adventures of your life.

The countries in order of population are Brazil, Columbia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, French Guyana, Suriname, Guyana and Falkland Islands. Every country has unique and beautiful places to be as active or relaxed as you’d like to be.

Your favorite country so far is Peru. From the high Andes mountains to the depths of Colca Canyon From the vibrant, green, intensity of the Amazon jungle, the largest jungle in the world to the desert landscape of Nazca and its clear markings and drawings of animals and other mythical creatures and shapes. This is only seen from the air and still confounds even scientists to this day. In northern Peru, the Chachapoyas is a fascinating pre - Inca area Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. Half lies in Peru the other half lays in Bolivia. Very unique cultures, beautiful vistas and the ancient ruins of Tiahuanaca, near the lake that are over 12,000 years old.

One of the most famous and extraordinary treks is the Classic Inca Trail Trek and also the Salkantay Trek, both finishing at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is accessed by hiking or train only. If you have limited time the train takes three and half hours from Cusco, (the old Inca capital of the world). Hiking packages to Machu Picchu are available and can be scheduled for 4 or 5 days trekking.

Brazil has incredible opportunities for adventure. Two large areas are the Iguza Falls and of couse thousands of kilometers of incredible beaches.

Ecuador’s pride is the Galapagos Islands. It is home to many species of turtles, seals and sea life. This is the place Darwin first theorized and researched about his ideas on the evolution of species. There are also a large variety of bio zones and interesting areas within the country. Active volcanos sit waiting for their next release of power, rocks dust and lava. There is an abundance of pure water in the form of waterfalls, lakes and clean rivers

Bolivia has Lake Titicaca of course and has one of the most untouched jungle areas in the world. It is called Rurrebanaque. It is very much worth a visit. La Paz is the capital and is situated in a huge crater surrounded by the Andes mountains. Tiahuanaco is a pre Columbian site located in western Bolivia. It is an archeoloical site revealed to be at least 12,000 years old and very much worth a visit.

There are many excellent guide books on South America and it’s hundreds of great travel destinations. I could keep writing about this continent for many years. It is totally immersing, unique and the best continent for adventure or luxury tour travel packages I have ever experienced.